Commencement

Parents and Guests

There are two Commencement dates each academic year. Winter Commencement will be held each December for students graduating during Fall or WinTerm. Spring Commencement is held each May for students graduating during Spring or Summer terms.

Commencement Dates for the 2014-2015 academic year:

Winter 2014 Commencement will be combined with Graduate and Undergraduate degree candidates at each ceremony.Spring 2015 Commencement will have separate Undergraduate and Graduate School ceremonies. There will be two Undergraduate and one Graduate ceremony.

Information about hotels and restaurants in the Menomonie area can be found through the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce website.

Doors will open for seating 45 minutes prior to each
ceremony. Each ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half to
two hours. Out of respect for other graduates and their guests, please
plan to attend for the duration of the ceremony.

Alcoholic Beverages

Commencement is a very distinguished occasion at University of Wisconsin-Stout. To ensure that the commencement ceremony is a memorable experience for all participants and guests, possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, other non-prescription drugs or tobacco is prohibited on university grounds. Degree candidates will not be permitted to participate in commencement if in violation or under the influence of banned substances.

Guests with Disabilities

Guests will have access to floor seating (chairs with backs) as well as bleacher seating. There will be a reserved seating area near the stage. Guests requesting/requiring special seating should notify the degree candidate of their need and the degree candidate should contact the commencement coordinator so that their ceremony tickets may be marked appropriately. The reserved seating request must be received a minimum of 5 business days prior to the ceremony. Ushers will be available to direct guests to the ADA seating area onsite. Requests for interpreters can be accommodated provided sufficient notice has been given. Interpreter requests should be made a minimum of one month prior to the ceremony.

Parking

Parking is available on all university lots the day of commencement. Lots #4 and #29 are nearest to the Johnson Fieldhouse and Sports and Fitness Center. ADA parking is available in all UW-Stout parking lots with display of state approved decal. Street Parking is also available.

Photography

A professional photographer will be contracted by UW-Stout to photograph the ceremonies. Guests are requested to remain seated throughout the ceremony. Guests may not approach the stage or stand in the aisles to take photographs during the ceremony. Each degree candidate will be photographed as they cross the stage during the ceremony. Personal photographs may be taken following the ceremony in the Johnson Fieldhouse or during the post-ceremony reception within the Sports and Fitness Center. In the weeks following the ceremony, degree candidates who participated will receive a small digital proof and optional ordering information from the photographer. Ordering prints from the photographer are optional and not required of degree candidates or their guests.

Post Ceremony Reception

Immediately following each ceremony, a reception for degree candidates, guests, faculty and staff, will be held in Multi-Purpose room 50, on the lower level of the Sports and Fitness Center. Refreshments will be provided.